Refinishing a coffee table

jennifernil

we use danish oil a lot, on all types of wood. I think it would give a good finish on your ercol table.

I would be sanding the top to remove any existing finish and get back to bare wood. you may need to use a chemical stripper on the legs/fiddly bits, but I would try sanding them too first.

then apply the oil as per instructions. we too use a cloth to apply on smaller areas, we have beech tops and a beech kitchen table all done with danish oil. very easy to use.

on larger areas such as paneling we use a brush.

ZootHornRollo

thanks,

i emailed ercol last night but have not heard anything as yet.

i'm very tempted by the oil... mainly for the dust aspect.

I've dismissed :

lacquer - all advice is to spray it on. i have nowhere to do that and it can't be done in dusty conditions

varnish - dust thing again... brushmarks and i am not keep on the plasticy look that results

i found this guide that uses sand paper to apply the oil http://benchmark.20m.com/articles/Finishing/woodfinishing.html

it is the only guide i have found that mentions waxing but it is also the most thorough guide. should i wax the table after several applications of oil allowing it to dry in between each?

jennifernil

I don't think you need anything other than the oil. If it gets worn or dry looking then you just put some more on. If it gets really dirty or marked, just give it a sanding and refinish it.

Having read the article you gave the link to, it makes it sound really complicated!

We never did all that! Are you going for a "high class" finish, or just an everyday one?

We sanded our table well, applied some oil using a rag (throw it away after, it could self ignite), let it soak in, if too much wipe off surplus and allow to dry. (Invest in some disposable gloves to keep your hand clean.)

Oil can also be applied using a green scouring pad, but you need to be very careful if doing that so as not to scratch the surface.

Sand again lightly and apply another coat of oil.

If you are happy with the smoothness, apply a final coat, if not then sand again and recoat, and so on.

It really is easy. Several light coats are better than putting on too much at once.

Ours is an "everyday" finish as it is a kitchen table. It is 21 years old now and has been refinished twice in that time, only the top gets refinished.

ZootHornRollo

that sounds good to me Jennifer.

an everyday finish is good enough. table will be in use daily.

cheers

ZootHornRollo

i got a mail back from ercol with a guide to refinishing.

Sand down to bare wood and them stain and varnish.

i'm not so sure about the varnish but we'll see how it goes. will need to get it sanded down first.

thanks folks.

TomsMom

Now you've got us all hooked on refinishing your table, once you done it you'll have to post a picture so we'll know how it turns out .

ZootHornRollo

spent all afternoon sanding.

Started off doing it by hand but quickly got fed up. Didn't want to use my cheapo 1/3 sheet sander on i so went out to B&Q and got a Ryobi detail sander and some sanding sheets - moneysavingtip... for detail sanding sheets buy normal sanding sheets and cut out the shapes, pierce with a screwdriver for the vacuum holes.

still took me all afternoon to get it nice and clean. still got to do the drawers tho - tomorrow hopefully.

B&Q were out of stock the danish oil we had decided on - the medium oak - but now i have it stripped i am not sure if i'd rather go for the natural.

anyone know if the natural danish oil has any kind of tint to it or is it completely clear?

TomsMom

ZootHornRollo wrote: »

anyone know if the natural danish oil has any kind of tint to it or is it completely clear?

As I've not used it (and I'm still waiting for OH to try the sample of Polyx oil he's been sent :rolleyes: ) I don't know for sure, but this site gives instructions about it and it says

The natural colour of the wood may be altered by staining with Rustin's Wood Dye before applying Danish Oil. The Wood Dye can also be added to Danish Oil to make a tinted oil.

so I take that as it's got no tint in it, at least the Rustins one.

Interesting reading of your progress, let us know how it goes.

jennifernil

it is not completely clear, so will darken the wood, but only very, very slightly.

ZootHornRollo

thats the drawers done.

just need to get the oil now!